Serena Williams is facing Simona Halep at Wimbledon with the title on the line.
Williams famously had a meltdown against Naomi Osaka at the 2018 US Open. She was penalised by the umpire for receiving coaching from the stands.
In pleading her case after things had escalated she said “Every time I play here, I have problems. I did not have coaching, I don’t cheat. You need to make an announcement. I have a daughter and I stand for what’s right. You owe me an apology.”
Williams will be playing for her 24th Grand Slam singles title, but her first as a mum. This means a lot to her.
Halep is the first Romanian woman to reach the Wimbledon final. She is the 2018 French Open champion, her lone Grand Slam title.
The head-to-head between Williams and Halep stands at 9-1 for Williams. Halep got her sole win at the 2014 WTA finals in round one.
The most recent match was at the 2019 Australian Open during at which Williams defeated Halep in the round of 16.
Halep was coming off a back injury at the start of the year. The Romanian has been in good form recently while Williams has also found form as the tournament progressed.
Williams had not played a match since the French Open but she steamrolled Barbora Strycova in the semis. Halep also had a comfortable win over Elina Svitolina in the semis.
It was against fellow America Alison Riske that Williams faced her toughest test. Riske was coming off a fourth-round win over world no. 1 Ash Barty and took Williams to three sets.
Williams also dropped a set in the second round against Kaja Juvan, losing the first set.
Halep reached the 2014 Wimbledon semifinals losing to Eugenie Bouchard in straight sets.
At the 2019 Wimbledon tournament, Halep was taken to three sets against fellow Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu in round two, all other matches she was able to win in straight sets.
Williams has the power game but is prone to errors at times. She is however often able to rely on her serve to save break points or close out games.
Halep is a fighter and chases hard to stay in a point. She can also hit the lines or find the open court when required.
This will be a tough battle between perhaps the greatest female player of all time and a determined Romanian.
I am tipping Halep in three sets.
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